STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 9, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Pergo:
Net sales amounted to SEK 2,799 M (3,194). Excluding currency effects, sales during 2003 were unchanged compared with the preceding year. Fourth quarter sales, excluding currency effects, increased by 14% compared with the year-earlier period.
- Operating loss in the fourth quarter amounted to SEK 5 M (profit: 33), including a SEK 22 M write-down of fixed assets. For the full year, the operating loss was SEK 146 M (profit: 61). Excluding Witex-related expense items of SEK 168 M and the above-mentioned write-down, the operating income amounted to SEK 44 M (68).
- Loss after tax amounted to SEK 169 M (profit: 33).
- Earnings per share were negative in an amount of SEK 3.15 (positive: 0.72).
- Cash flow from current operations was SEK 124 M during the fourth quarter and SEK 62 M (467) for the full year. The net cash balance, that is liquid funds less utilized credit facilities, was SEK 153 M (141).
- Pergo's financial position remains strong. The equity/assets ratio at the close of the fourth quarter was 70%.
- Goran Bernhoff was appointed new President and CEO effective January 16, 2004.
- In order to achieve an efficient production structure and lower product costs an overview of the product supply structure is ongoing. Plans, which to a major extent affect the European part of the supply structure, are expected to be complete during the first half of 2004. Once the decision has been taken the total restructuring costs are estimated to be significant. The main part will be write-downs of fixed assets. The costs will affect the result of 2004. The write-down of SEK 22 M in the closing of 2003 was a part of this program.
Pergo is a laminate flooring company with leading market positions, particularly in Europe and the US. Net sales amounted to MSEK 2,799 (3,194) in full-year 2003 and the number of employees was 795 (784) as at December 31, 2003. Pergo developed laminate flooring at the end of the 1970s and launched the product in Europe during the 1980s. The company started sales in the US in 1994 and, to a smaller degree, in Asia in 1995 and Latin America in 1997. The company's products have been marketed under the Pergo(R) brand name since 1989. The company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. For further information about Pergo, please visit our homepage www.pergo.com.
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